Oleksandr Usyk and Daniel Dubois are set to rematch this summer in front of thousands of fans at Wembley Stadium.
Oleksandr Usyk looks to do the double on Daniel Dubois this summer, just as he did with Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua.
The Brit-basher is looking to become a two-time undisputed heavyweight champion, and, perhaps more importantly, is hoping to put to rest any controversy around Dubois’ low-blow in their first encounter.
Seven of Usyk’s last eight fights have come against British opposition, and it was one of these opponents who does not fancy Dubois’ chances in the rematch.
“That belief will get shrunk”… Tony Bellew makes bold prediction ahead of Oleksandr Usyk vs Daniel Dubois 2
In Usyk’s final fight as a cruiserweight, he took on Liverpool’s Tony ‘The Bomber’ Bellew in the Manchester Arena.
The fight was close, with one judge having it even, and another having Bellew behind by just one round going into the eighth, though it was this round where it all changed, as Usyk produced a stunning knockout that left Bellew hanging through the ropes unconscious.
Usyk named Bellew as one of his toughest fights, whilst Bellew claimed the ref saved his life that night.
The fight was the last of Bellew’s career. He spoke to TalkSport recently on Usyk’s upcoming fight, and had nothing but praise for his former foe:
“This guy’s an anomaly, he’s a freak, he’s the genius that boxing needs.”
He acknowledged that Usyk cannot fight forever, but maintained that Dubois would not be the man to hand him his first loss:
“Ultimately all good things have to come to an end eventually, yes, but I just don’t think Daniel Dubois is the man to bring it to the end.”
Bellew also gave praise to Dubois, but predicts Usyk will win by late-stoppage:
“He’s a super dangerous challenger, and he’ll go into it with a lot of belief, but I believe that belief will get shrunk, as the rounds pass, and as the shots start getting landed on him, the questions will be asked of him again. Oleksandr Usyk will be victorious.”
Usyk stopped Dubois with a jab in the ninth round of their first fight. Dubois was dropped by Kevin Lerena in his fight before facing Usyk, and since losing to him has undoubtedly grown in confidence with wins over Jarrell Miller, Filip Hrgovic, and AJ.
Oleksandr Usyk has faced a host of heavyweight stars as an amateur
Usyk has a reported amateur record of 335-15, and is one of the best amateur boxers ever, falling just behind Vasiliy Lomachenko’s 396-1 record.
In his 350 fights, Usyk faced many fighters who went on to make their mark in the pro game.
He faced Junior Fa, who quit boxing recently, Joe Joyce, and Artur Beterbiev. He actually fought Beterbiev three times, losing one of their encounters.